Mr Qallal, the Senate president, is alleged to have presided over the use of
torture during his tenure as interior minister according to human rights
groups. Mr bin-Dhia is considered one of Mr Ben Ali’s closest advisors.

It came as the owner of a private TV station and his son were arrested for
‘grand treason’ for ‘inciting violence’.

"The owner of Hannibal TV (Larbi Nasra), who is a relative of the former
president's wife, is using the channel to abort the youth's revolution,
spread confusion, incite strife and broadcast false information," a
statement citing an authorised source said.

"The aim is to create a constitutional vacuum, ruin stability and take the
country